Sunday Nov 23 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- High salt is known to be a risk factor for high blood pressure.  A report published in Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension suggests high dietary intake of salt can also cause endothelial dysfunction which is a predictor of cardiovascular disease.

High dietary salt intake is detrimental in hypertensive and salt-sensitive individuals, which has been known for a long time.  Evidence now suggests "Salt has adverse effects on the vasculature, independent of blood pressure”, according to D. G. Edwards and W. B. Farquhar at University of Delaware in Newark Delaware.

Evidence from both animal and human studies, according to the report, shows that salt impairs endothelial function and increases the risk of arterial stiffness, independent of blood pressure.

The authors say salt can induce oxidative stress, which increases endothelial cell stiffness or impairs endothelial function because of which transforming growth factor beta promotes arterial stiffness.

The review suggests that salt, specifically, sodium, part of table salt, is an important nutrient.  But people who even have normal blood pressure should avoid high dietary salt intake.  (David Liu, PHD)

Edwards DG, Farquhar WB.  Vascular effects of dietary salt.  Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2014 Nov 19.